Statistics...again

Ok heres the thing...I called the American Cancer Society (ACS. The long term survival stats for the Stage my mom is in is only 31.5% - which is lousy.
BUT...

The ACS further went on to say that those stats are from 1995-1998...so they are old. Also, my mom is on taxol and I know from research that taxol was approved for first line treatment in 1998. So there is no way that the treatment my mom is on is even factored into those statistics.

Furthermore, they got 98% of the tumor out, with specs remaining. Surgically speaking that must be considered successful I would think. I also spoke with an oncological (sp?) nurse at the ACS and she said sometimes depending on where the nodules are located, they cannot remove it because of bleeding or its a major organ, etc. So she told me my moms surgery sounded successful.

The woman at the ACS was very nice and said that the survival rate TODAY is probably higher than the number she gave me. She also said that based on what I said about my mom, there is EVERY reason to be optimistic and she could very well live MANY years with this disease, even as a chronic condition.

She also said the stats dont factor in many things like...if you had a good doctor, went to a good hospital, are in otherwise overall good health, etc. She was very encouraging.

I want to be optimistic and Im trying to be, but I admit Im still very scared.

[dtc]

Please try to be positive for yourself AND for your mom.
What satge did they say your motehr was at?
Also, the human spirit is stroger than any statisics.
I am currently playing the 'waiting game' with my mom (surgery next week) and am also very scared and am coping with bad thoughts constantly...and I don't even know anything yet.
Please try to be strong, educate yourself, DON'T believe everything you find on the internet, and hang out here..because there are some wonderful people with REAL experinces to help you get through this. I am sending out some good thoughts and prayers for you and your mom. be strong for her.
-dtc

[ConcernedInNY]

Hi dtc - I will be thinking of you and your mom too.  I pray her surgery goes well.  How old is she?  And what have the doctors said so far.

My mom is in Stage 3C.  I just want her around for many many more years.

Stay in touch and let us know how your mom is doing.

[birdbath]

Hi concerned,
Don't feel bad about asking for info on statistics, sometimes we all get caught up in it. For whatever it's worth, I read that sometimes when they are calculating those little numbers, they include women who had ovarian cancer that passed away from other causes. So, considering that many women who get ovarian cancer are at an advanced age, some of those stats include the one who died from heart attacks, strokes, etc., who happened to have ovarian cancer at the time. Don't know if that helps or not, but thought it was kind of interesting when I stumbled across it. Your mom is a unique individual, there is just no way of knowing for sure how long she has. But, you didn't know how long she had before she got the cancer, either, none of us know. The silver lining here is women who are monitored closely for conditions like this are under a doctor's care constantly. Medical conditions that may spring up or that might have gone unnoticed will come up early and can be treated. I'm sorry that you are struggling with this(I would too, if it were my mom), but there's just no way to know. Your mom is getting the best treatment possible. Besides, look at TELLME, who is a twenty year cancer survivor! I'm betting your mom lives to a nice old ripe age, how does 100 sound?!
You're in my prayers, Mr. New York, hang in there with us. It's going to be all right. Robin

[newlifegal]

Hi, I am in a similar situation with your mother.  I was diagnosed with IIIc ovc last summer.  The surgery was considered succesful but there two areas that they were unable to remove due to their location on my ribs and on my liver.  My gyn onc told me that statistics can be somewhat misleading because all women who die with ovarian cancer are thrown into the pot, including those who did not have access to a skilled gyn/onc surgeon.  I think we all know that an aggressive debulking tumor removable is the first and very important stop in controling this disease.  Then getting out the big guns of chemo will help get rid of the residual.

I would be lying to you if I told you that I've taken this in stride.  It has been very difficult to be faced with your own mortality.  I was a 51 y/o active, fit and healthy female who was misdiagnosed with colon problems.  By the time they figured out what was going on the cancer had reached an advanced stage.  Yet I know I am not alone in this.  I am so grateful for my faith and for my wonderful famiy.  I have a lot to live for and at this moment am expecting news of my very first grandchild's birth any day now.  So we persevere and keep moving forward.  My two adult children and my husband are very positive in their outlook--that's helps me a lot.  And I keep my faith close to me--God doesn't waste pain.  It will be used for good for someone else's situation.

I hope this helps you in some way.  Stay positive for yourself and for your dear mother!

Christa

[milashka]

Christa, ha, just like me, diagnosed w/IBS next thing I know I have cancer, active healthy 42 years old. Then it's "oops, sorry, good luck" and off you go to chemo. Probably again and again. The fact that it's a treatable chronic disease doesn't comfort me much right now, I hate chemo and what it does to my life. But oh, well.

Alan, I think I now see the reason behind my doctor's prognosis: 50/50. Either you live longer than 5 years or you don't, it's a coin toss.

[dtc]

My mum is 67 and is due for a TAH on tues.
They have told us all along they don't know whether the syst/mass is cancerous or not. She had a gyno check in Oct and everything was fine. They recently found a small cyst and said 'it looks fine' jump foward to a second ultrasound a month later and it has grom from 5 cent to 7 and she needs surgery. They are acting fast and I believe she is getting great care. We are having some dark days though...we are both scared and are trying to be strong. But I am taking great comfort in the fact that the timeline looks to be very good. She IS recieving some awesome care..and ****, I going to make her better by helping her in every single way I can...regardless of results.
So please think of me and my mum this Tues.
You and your mum are in my thoughts.
-dtc